The two Snapes apparated to the designated point in Hogsmeade and slowly walked up to the front gate of Hogwarts. Six crates of phials bobbed along merrily behind the winding pair as Hermione chatted amicably, not really noticing that Severus wasn't responding. She had grown used to his habit of listening to her blather on, and knew he would input a comment when he felt like it.
They entered the main gates into Hogwarts, the wards for the new school year having already been set. The pair proceeded up the walk and through the front door, Hermione making an idle comment about how quiet the castle was without the schoolchildren. It was then that she realized Severus had stopped abruptly.
Hermione turned at looked at his face. Upon seeing a frozen look of horror, she followed his gaze and it fell upon the Headmistress who was coming down the main staircase to meet them.
"Severus, it's just Minerva," she said, laying a hand on his arm. "Severus, can you hear me?" She shook his elbow gently, trying to break him out of his reverie.
"I…I…didn't…know…"
It took her a moment for her to figure out what he was talking about, and to realize that his meeting with Draco had been to ask the questions he couldn't have asked of her. She mentally berated Draco for not warning her of this development.
"Severus, it's okay," she used the voice she hadn't had a reason to use since her Prefect years when she would sit up and soothe little first and second years. Not many people realized she and Ginny had been the ones to split the job, but it was inevitable that the youngest girls would get homesick, and occasionally a few of the boys.
Hermione squeezed his arm, getting his attention, a little shocked to see him so visibly shaken.
She didn't have much time to address the situation before Minerva appeared by their side. The younger witch watched as the older one embraced Severus, clutching him to her breast.
"My boy, I am so glad to see you up and about. Rolanda, Filius, and Poppy are waiting in the Great Hall. The house elves have made a most delightful chicken curry dish based on a recipe Rolanda brought back from the International Quidditch Referee's conference in Chennai, India. Severus? You can let go now, dear."
A soft sob came from her shoulder where the tall man's head was buried.
"Severus?"
"I'm sorry, so sorry," came the muffled reply.
"Severus Snape, I haven't seen you like this since the night Lily died….oh poor boy," Minerva fell back into her House-Mother role and patted Severus on the back. She let a small smile cross her face before she continued, "Do pull yourself together, child. In retrospect, Albus gave me a bit of warning, and I don't hold you responsible."
Another stifled whimper.
"Stop that right now. You've faced Voldemort and Mad-Eye Moody, not to mention survived Neville's attempts to shorten your life span. And almost two months married and living with a wife. Eating dinner with the Hogwarts staff is nothing to be worried about. Besides," she added softly in his ear, "I forgave you even before you desired forgiveness. That is part of love, dear. Now compose yourself."
The older witch pulled back from the wizard and, avoiding looking at his face, turned to the younger witch who was arguably her favorite student ever.
"Dear, you look lovely, married life is treating you well."
Severus began walking towards the Great Hall in a huff.
"Minerva, you mustn't tease him so," Hermione answered, hanging back. "You know he's still not happy with this arrangement."
"I noticed he wasn't wearing a ring," she replied, "yet!"
"He asked about our bonding today," Hermione whispered conspiratorially to her mentor.
"And did you tell him?"
"I told him the basics, but not – "
"You are aware that I can hear you two hens from up here," Severus grumbled from about ten paces ahead. "I suggest you save your chatter for later."
"I see you haven't lost your touch, Severus." Minerva called from behind him.
You can also inform me of what besides the 'basics' there is for me to know about our bonding.
Ignoring the words in her head, Hermione took Minerva's arm and followed her husband deeper into the only place she had ever really thought of as home.
She was a bit unsettled by the small voice in her heart that reminded her Snape Manor now also filled that spot.
The six professors sat round a smaller circular table set up under a window in the Great Hall. Poppy had been thrilled with her medicinal potions, thanking Severus and Hermione repeatedly. Severus had ignored her with a skill that came from years of practice, limiting his conversation to a few grunts and scowls. Hermione felt at peace, her nervousness about teaching vanishing in the wake of praise and support from Flitwick and Minerva.
It wasn't until Rolanda began talking about her conference that she realized her worst fear had been actualized.
Hermione Granger had managed to marry a man in love with Quidditch. She sat gobsmacked as the Hogwarts Quidditch referee began discussing the new international rulings and her husband began making intelligent commentary.
Dear Heavens, how could I have been so blind. His mother played Quidditch; he was a substitute referee for Merlin's sake. Severus Snape is a typical male wizard.
The revelation caused her to giggle aloud.
"Care to share the joke, Professor Snape?" Severus used the proper title for the setting, but Hermione couldn't determine if it was out of respect or sarcasm.
"Later," she countered with a wink, knowing the gentle teasing would annoy him to no end. She was pleased to see a glint of humor in his eyes; he may not be ready to be married in front of the staff, but at least he was showing he could be a bit demonstrative in their blossoming friendship.
"Have the two of you talked about when you'll be returning?" Poppy asked, always the nosey one of the bunch.
"Teachers have to return two weeks prior, Heads three weeks prior, so I had thought we would be here in enough time for Severus to prepare as the Head of Slytherin." Hermione answered.
"Hermione, dear, you'll need three weeks to prepare also," Minerva interjected, smiling at the Potions Mistress' questioning glance. "You'll be serving as the Head of Gryffindor, of course."
"But, but…" Hermione stuttered, at a loss for words. Deep down she was pleased by the development, but logistically, it would be a nightmare.
"Severus' old chambers have been renovated with a separate entrance near Gryffindor Tower, for your Head of House duties," Minerva explained, as if reading her thoughts. "You'll be able to stay in familiar quarters, but will have two offices that enter into two areas."
"That should be…convenient," spoke Severus, a bit glad he wouldn't be forced upstairs to a new suite of rooms.
"For practically the last two centuries those rooms have served as the suite for the Potions Professor and the Head of Slytherin, since they were usually one in the same. How suitable that they continue to do so."
Severus gave a curt nod, not desiring to delve deeply into the questions he had about moving back to Hogwarts in front of an audience.
Luckily, the conversation shifted again to a new History of Magic teacher since Professor Binns seemed to have finally realized he was dead, and had given Minerva his one year notice. Hermione was proposing a rotation of Hogwarts House ghosts, at least until a replacement could be found. This suggestion led to a spirited discussion that included everyone at the table about whether bringing in a graduate of Durmstrang Institute or Beauxbatons Academy of Magic would be better, and if Hogwarts should revise its class to a more world-historical view.
Minerva escorted the pair back to the apparition point, satisfied to see that the two seemed to be getting along on some level besides pure academia. She loved them both and for their sakes had high hopes of the outcome of the marriage.
"You are aware your anniversary is next week," she whispered to Severus as she hugged him goodbye, thrilled she had gotten in two hugs in one day.
"Hermione informed me this morning. I have spoken to Lord Malfoy," he answered, cutting her short.
Grinning like a Cheshire Cat – or a tabby cat with square eye markings – Minerva hugged Hermione and wished them both farewell.
"What was that about?" Hermione asked, as the prepared to apparate home.
"Sometimes I think that Albus' damn twinkle came with the Headmaster job," Severus complained. "Promise me if I ever become Headmaster and my eyes start to twinkle, you will gouge them out."
"With a very dull spoon," Hermione agreed, watching the Headmistress' retreating back.
Upon returning to Snape Manor, Severus found himself escorting his wife all the way to her chambers, discussing in a very roundabout way their move to Hogwarts.
"I have already asked Minerva about Eakey and Monly coming with us, and she's agreed that they can reside at Hogwarts. Although I think Eakey will pop back and forth to keep the Manor ready for us. We'll be able to spend holidays here, and Minerva was thrilled to learn that Ginny and Draco wanted to regularly visit the school, although she suggested moving our standing dinner date to Saturdays, just for our own convenience."
Hermione had talked for so long that she didn't even notice that he had followed her into her bedroom, his hand resting lightly on her lower back.
Or at least I can tell myself that I don't realize it. Because if I did, it would explain why I am babbling like a first year.
She sat on the edge of her bed, pulling off her shoes, and levitating them to her wardrobe. The awkward silence was broken by Severus, who was maintaining a poker face of propriety.
"Minerva told me that the suite had two bedrooms, one for our nursery. I am assuming that you wish to use it as you use the one here?"
Is that a rhetorical question?
"You'll need furniture," he continued, oblivious to her inner dialogue.
"I don't wish to remove the furniture in the room, however, if it meets with your approval, I would like to contact the woodwizard and have him carve a similar set for Hogwarts."
"You hardly need my approval, the galleons in Gringotts also belong to you."
"Severus! I have never –"
"Draco told me," he interrupted. "It's ridiculous that your Gryffindor sensibilities would prevent you from investigating your own financial state."
He knelt down beside her chest as he spoke again. "I could have sworn this was two separate trees…"
Hermione rose from the bed and moved around to crouch next to him, running her fingers over the two branches that were now almost touching above her initials.
"I've never noticed those branches, look at the buds."
"It's exquisite carve work," Severus admitted, his attention drawn to the intricate leaves that were budding on the outstretched limbs.
"Fascinating," Hermione said, in awe.
"What pieces did you want to order?" asked Severus, his attention diverted from the chest by Sebastian butting his furry head against his arm. Lifting the small kitten into his arms, he stood at his full height and scanned the room.
"I had thought a second wardrobe, a single nightstand, a smaller bed, but I want to bring this chest. It seems silly to have two hope chests."
"A smaller bed?"
Merlin, what do I care if she has a smaller bed. It's not like I am going to be sleeping there. It's not like I want to be sleeping there. I just want the option of sleeping there.
Did I insult him? Why can't this man just speak plainly? Grrrr, what I wouldn't do for a bit of Gryffindor straightforwardness right now!
"Hermione? Did you just growl at me?"
"Sorry, something caught in my throat," she kept her head bent, covering the slight blush in her cheeks. "I just meant that it would seem wasteful to have another king-sized bed in the chambers. I thought a smaller queen size might be more useful, and someday, if we ever needed a guest bedroom or, perchance, for children…"
Children, our children, multiple children means sex more than once…deep breaths, Severus, deep breaths.
"Yes, yes, excellent foresight, Hermione," his eyes remained averted, his mind racing at the implications of her statement.
"Severus?"
He was taken by surprise at her hand on his forearm.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," she softly smiled at him. "I was going to take a shower before bed…did you want Sebastian to sleep with you?"
"Perhaps we could just leave our doors open and let him wander through the night?" Severus cautiously suggested.
"Brilliant idea," she answered, before leaning into his chest and nuzzling the tiny black furball. "Be good for Daddy, while I go shower."
"Lady Snape, please do not insult me by allowing this Kneazle to assume he is of my lineage. I am not that familiar with anyone's familiar," his gruff words hiding the tremble that would give away how much he would dearly love for her to keep nuzzling that spot on his chest, just minus the offending feline.
He doubted he succeed by the way her hips swayed as she retreated to the bathroom, leaving him staring after her.
Sighing, he bent down to the ear of the kitten and whispered as he walked to his own room, "I guess Mummy isn't ready to share a bathroom just yet."
The hairball just emitted a rather loud purring vibration in response.
"We can't from the press hide forever!"
"I understand that, Severus, I just didn't think you would be the one to insist we spend our anniversary at a restaurant!"
"A Midsummer's Night usually takes reservations three to four months in advance. We were lucky for Lord Malfoy to be able to get us a seat tonight on such short notice. Now, gather your cloak, the portkey leaves in twenty minutes and we still have to apparate to Hogsmeade to catch it."
Hermione sat on the couch in the middle room, buckling the strap of her heels around her ankles, ignoring his brusque orders. Growing impatient, Severus grabbed her black dress cloak off her armchair and held it open for her, taking a moment to admire the very clingy deep blue dress she had chosen. A low v-neckline in the front accentuated the rounding of her chest, and a matching dip in the back emphasized her long neck, though her upswept hair and the few loose tendrils did a fine job of that on their own.
The pearl necklace from the Malfoys hung around her neck, and he was pleased to see she wasn't wearing any earrings to match. It was nice when she made it easy.
"Here, these are for you," he thrust a small black velvet box into her hand.
"Severus, you didn't have to get me a gift," she said, as she opened the box. Letting out a small happy gasp, she carefully pulled out the pearl drop earrings and placed them on each ear.
"I have received enough hints from Malfoys, Weasleys, and members of the Hogwarts staff to know that if I had not gotten you a gift, I wouldn't live to see the start of the school year. But that is neither here nor there, those aren't a gift, they belong to the Snape Family, so they are already yours."
"They are beautiful, Severus!"
He nodded his assent, and then tucked her hand in the crook of his arm led her out.
The anniversary couple portkeyed to the Irish town of Rosslare, situated right on the Saint Georges Channel. They had made it to the portkey easily, and Hermione was pleased to have been able to make a graceful landing in her nice dress and heels. She was even more pleased as he reached for her, and guided her to the front doors of A Midsummer's Night.
"Snape, party of two," Severus instructed the immaculately dressed host.
"Lord and Lady Snape, welcome. Please follow me," the wizard swept ahead into the restaurant, leading them to a small romantic private alcove in the corner. "We always do so enjoy having Lord and Lady Malfoy visit, and Master Zabini. If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate."
He was quickly replaced by an even more helpful waiter who went over every single item on the menu, in great detail, along with wine pairings and was in the middle of the dessert options before Hermione blessedly caught on to the look crossing Severus' face.
Just order me a soup and fish with a side of in-season vegetables.
"For the Lady, a bowl of Summer Borshct, followed by Steamed Salmon served with baby carrots and broccoli. I will also have a bowl of Summer Borshct, then the Whole Snapper with Balinese Spices," Severus interjected when the waiter stopped to take a breath.
Wine?
"And a bottle of a late 1800's White Wine, French or Belgian," he added.
The waiter nodded with glee, before hurrying off towards the kitchen.
"Ginny said they came here often for special occasions, but I didn't realize the Malfoy influence spread so far."
"Draco made it clear that their discretion was as good as their food. I suppose we shall have to see for ourselves," Severus answered.
"No press inside, at least. Wonderful idea to leave the country for dinner," Hermione praised.
Her husband looked decidedly uncomfortable with the praise, and she could see the battle of what to say next raging in his eyes.
"You've made satisfactory progress in being able to initiate the mental connection for us to speak to each other," he finally settled on saying.
"Thank you, Severus," she replied. "I have to say I'm looking forward to using that to keep awake during staff meetings."
He let out a surprisingly unguarded chuckle at the thought of having an ally in the staff meetings. Oh, the other professors tolerated him, most even liked him in their own way, but he had always fought his battles alone.
She'll be calling them dunderheads within the week.
The meal was enjoyable not only in the fare, but also in the conversation. Severus went to great lengths to explain his variation on the potion he submitted for his mastery. They had a rousing debate on the merits of fresh roses versus dried roses.
Severus realized that he didn't mind when Hermione stuck her fork into his fish to "try it," even the third time she did so. Hermione found she didn't even mind when Severus ordered dessert without asking, knowing that she would want the multi-layer chocolate cake.
Over their cups of coffee, Hermione had a bout of shyness. Pulling a small package out of her robe pocket, she cast the enlarging spell on it, and passed the black and silver wrapped package to her husband.
"It's not much, the first year anniversary is traditionally supposed to be paper," she offered as explanation.
He took the flat parcel and carefully undid the wrapping. Inside was a handsewn stack of parchment, with an ornate rendition of the Snape Family Crest on the first page.
"Egyptian Parchment," Hermione said. "Michael – Master Druizlen – said in America families have these books…children there tend to follow in the paths of their parents, much like in the old Muggle world, and so families keep their "Familial Discoveries" in a special text that is given from parent to child. This holds all the potions that you and I have ever created or altered."
"And I give it to any child of mine who becomes a Potions Master?"
"Or Mistress," she softly countered.
"But first, we finish filling it up," he said, clearing his throat. "Thank you." He stuck his hand in a coat pocket, withdrawing a small package of his own, wrapped in plain brown paper. Setting it on the table before her, Severus enlarged it and then grasped his coffee cup with both hands.
Why am I worried? Do I really care if she likes it or not? I knew I should have let Lady Malfoy help wrap it.
Cautiously pulling off the pieces of spellotape, Hermione removed the plain brown paper to reveal a large brown box with two silver flat arrows on the front.
"It's a clock, the modern first year anniversary gift is a clock," Severus explained.
"But there aren't any numbers…" Hermione asked, confused.
"It's not that kind of clock." He reached over with his wand and tapped the pin that held the two clock hands in place. Immediately one hand swiveled to reveal Hermione's name, the other Severus'. Around them appeared the words At Snape Manor, Traveling, At Hogwarts, Bookstore, At the Ministry, Out of Country, Mortal Peril, Almost-Mortal Peril, With A Malfoy, at the Burrow, and Stuck with a Dunderhead – Save Me.
"I take it you chose the designations?"
"Draco helped."
"Where did you find this? They are near impossible to locate, even Molly can't remember where her family's came from."
"That is because everyone assumed they are spelled. In actuality, the clock works off a potion that contains a drop of blood from the clocks founders. Then, it spell-adjusts itself to the births, deaths, and marriages within that family."
"That makes sense," she conceded.
"This also brings our product placement with Malfoy Enterprises to two. We will be receiving a forty percent cut of the profits when these hit the market later this year."
"Why so much?" Hermione asked, surprised.
"Because I am retaining the secret to the potion that activates the clock for each family."
"You really are brilliant," she jibed. "And the product placement would be up to three now, not including the work I do for them gathering ingredients."
"What is the third?"
"After the war, I developed a potion that works on a time release to heal wounds, a magical children's bandaid."
"A what?"
Hermione spent the remainder of their anniversary dinner attempting to explain muggle bandaids, and why children liked having moving pictures on the magical equivalent.
The trip home was quick, the conversation growing more and more stilted as the pair entered their home and walked up the stairs to their mutual sitting room.
Hermione lovingly placed the clock on the mantle, smiling as both hands swung from Traveling to At Snape Manor.
"I will be heading to bed," Severus said, stiffly, as he turned to go into his room.
"Good night, and thank you again," Hermione called after him, noting that he did wait till she finished speaking before shutting the door. Sighing, she went to her own bedroom, Sebastian weaving through her legs.
To much all at once, give him time… she reminded herself.
She changed into her silk pajamas, and crawled under the covers, her hair messily spilling out over her pillow. She was almost asleep when she heard her bedroom door open.
"Hermione?" came an uncharacteristically shy voice.
"Yes, Severus?"
"Would you, perhaps, enjoy some company?" he rushed out.
She threw back the covers behind her and sleepily grinned in the soft light of the fireplace. He crawled in behind her, stiffly laying on his side of the bed.
"What's the point of sharing a bed, if you don't share the warmth?" she murmured, reaching back and grabbing his arm, pulling him to his side and snuggling down into the crook of his body.
He carefully brushed a lock of hair off her neck, before wrapping a welcomed arm around her waist. He could hear her steady breathing as she faded back into her dreams.
Severus resisted the urge to kiss up and down the faultless line that began at her ear and extended down her neck to her perfect collarbone.
He satisfied himself with being lulled to sleep by the rhythmic motion of her chest rising and falling.
It was the best nights' sleep either had gotten in years.
Sebastian agreed, although he waited until the magical glow from the ever changing chest faded to reveal the branches actually touching and intertwining before he hopped up on the bed to sleep.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I seem to have stretched myself pretty thin between working full-time, going to college full-time (I graduate in May) and being a single mom to two little boys. Chapter 14 is about 1/2 way written, and next week is my vacation! Thanks for your support and reviews, and MANY TANKS to my darling Beta.